News JVTech Beware, this fake NFT-boosted Pokémon game can cost you dearly!
Published on 09/01/2023 at 20:25
No, the Pokémon license does not include NFTs in its games at this time. However, several players have recently come across a pseudo-collectible card game promising the legendary Pokémon cards to collect in NFT.
A counterfeit Pokémon with NFT sauce
If you have come across an application that promised this kind of functionality, it was a huge scam that seems to have caused damage to the machines of some players. Indeed, a fake Pokémon card game was recently detected by ASEC cybersecurity analysts.
The nickname “Pokémon” notably offered a system for collecting Pokémon cards in NFT (non-fungible tokens) and promised members to earn money with these famous counterfeit virtual cards.
This game was ultimately a decoy to encourage users to download an executable file containing malware. Once launched, the file runs the remote desktop access software, named NetSupport. So, after restarting the computer, the attackers behind this fake pokemon can control the victim’s infected device.
Pokémon NFTs, it’s not on Nintendo’s program
Although Nintendo considers the web 3 as potentially interesting for the years to come, the firm still does not seem determined to launch.
“We have an interest, we feel the potential in this area (web3), but we wonder what entertainment we can bring in this area and it’s hard to define at the moment,” the company said last year.
Currently focused on its new Scarlet and Violet games released in November 2022, The Pokémon Company is facing multiple derivatives and copyright violations. The strong demand around a Pokémon web 3 game motivates some to usurp the license.
In fact, Pokémon recently sued a company that exploited its brand through a game based on the use of NFTs. Baptized Pokémon Pty Ltd, the company wanted to launch a game called “PokéWorld” broadly taking up the concept of Pokémon.
Currently in appeal, The Pokémon Company is seeking a solution to legally prevent the launch of this game, blatantly using their intellectual property.
